Blood, Lymphatic, and Immune Systems TERMINOLOGY

autoimmune

body attacks itself

anaphylactic shock/anaphylaxis

response to allergens; use of Epipen to prevent

hodgkin’s disease/lymphoma

cancer of lymph cells in lymph nodes

non-hodgkin’s lymphoma

cancer of other lymphatic tissues

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

hypochromic pernicious anemia

condition where you cannot absorb vitamin B12 leading to low erythrocyte production

human immunodeficiency virus

HIV, a disease involving a defect in the cell mediated immunity system

kaposi’s sarcoma

cancerous tumor in the connective tissue of the skin, frequent in AIDS, brownish purple papules

pneumocystis pneumonia

lung condition common in patients with weakened immune systems

opportunistic infection

infectious diseases associated with patient's who have weakened immune systems

dyscrasia

general term for abnormal blood condition

hematoma

collection of blood under skin as a result of blood escaping into tissue from damaged blood vessels

hemophilia

genetic blood disorder that prevents blood from clotting quickly due to missing clotting factor

nosocomial infection

infection that a patient acquires while receiving care in a hospital or facility

hyperlipidemia

having too high a level of lipids such as cholesterol in bloodstream

pancytopenia

too few of all types of blood cells

septicemia

having bacteria or toxins in blood stream; aka sepsis or blood poisoning

allergy

hypersensitivity to common substance in environment or to medication

autoimmune disease

disease resulting from the body's immune system attacking itself

elephantiasis

obstruction and inflammation of lymph vessels resulting in enlarged tissues due to edema

mononucleosis

infectious condition with large number of abnormal mononuclear lymphocytes caused by epstein barr virus

thymoma

tumor in the thymus gland

aplastic anemia

anemia from red bone marrow failing to produce enough blood cells, may require bone marrow transplant

erythrocytosis

condition of having more than normal number of red blood cells

hemolytic anemia

anemia developing as a result of destruction of erthryocytes

hypochromic anemia

anemia from insufficient hemoglobin in erthrocytes

iron-deficiency anemia

anemia from insufficient iron to manufacture hemoglobin

pernicious anemia

anemia where the body cannot absorb vitamin B12 and therefore cannot create healthy erythrocytes

polycythemia vera

condition of producing too many red blood cells by bone marrow, blood becomes too thick

sickle cell anemia

genetic blood condition where RBCs take on an abnormal sickle shape, are fragile, and easily damaged

thalassemia

genetic blood condition in which body is unable to make functioning hemoglobin, resulting in anemia

acute lymphocytic leukemia

ALL

acute myeloid leukemia

AML

hives

appearance of wheals as part of allergic reaction

immunoglobulins

antibodies secreted by the B cells

urticaria

severe itching associated with hives

human immunodeficiency virus

virus that causes AIDS; it destroys the immune system aka known as a retrovirus

severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome

disease seen in children born with a non functioning immune system

graft versus host diease

GVHD

blood culture + sensitivity

blood sample incubated in laboratory to check for bacterial growth, if bacteria are present, they're identified and tested for which antibiotics they are sensitive

complete blood count

combination of blood tests, includes RCB count, WBC count, hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), WBC differential, and platelet count

hematocrit

blood test to measure volume of red blood cells within total volume of blood

white blood cell count

blood test to measure number of leukocytes in volume of blood, may indicate presence of infection or disease

white blood cell differential

blood test to determine number of each variety of leukocytes in volume of blood

bone marrow aspiration

sample of bone marrow is removed by aspiration with a needle, then examined for diseases

phlebotomy

puncture of vein in order to remove blood for diagnostic test

sequential multiple analyzer computer

an automated clinical chemistry analyzer

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

laboratory technique that detects and measures proteins, antibodies, antigens, or hormones in a sample

Western blot

backup to the ELISA blood test to detect the presence of HIV in the blood

Monospot

blood test for infectious mononucleosis

autologous transfusion

procedure for collecting and storing patient's own blood several weeks prior before actual need, used to replace blood lost during surgical procedure

homologous transfusion

replacement of blood by transfusion of blood received from another person

packed red cells

transfusion in which most of plasma, leukocytes, and platelets have been removed, leaving only erythrocytes

plasmapheresis

method of removing plasma from body without depleting foreign elements

immunotherapy

medical treatment that gives a patient an injection of immunoglobulins or antibodies in order to treat disease

vaccination

exposure to a killed or weakened pathogen or to a unique substance produced by pathogen to protect against full blown disease

anticoagulant

prevents blood clot formation, aka blood thinner

antiplatelet agents

interferes with platelet action, prolongs bleeding time

hematinic

increases number of erythrocytes or hemoglobin in blood

thrombolytic

medications used to dissolve dangerous blood clots

antihistamine

blocks affects of histamine release by body during allergic reaction

immunosuppressants

block certain actions of immune system, required to prevent rejection during organ transplant

protease inhibitor drugs

inhibit protease, an enzyme that viruses need to reproduce